[Python-Dev] RE: Decimal class (original) (raw)

Tim Peters tim_one@email.msn.com
Mon, 26 May 2003 13:36:23 -0400

[Kevin Jacobs]

Anyhow, the next big thing I want to do is to make Decimal instances immutable like other Python numeric types, so they can be used as hash keys, so common values can be re-used, and some of the code can be simplified.

[Tim]

Offhand I didn't see anything in the code that mutates any inputs, so I expect it's at worst close. But this kind of discussion should be in public, so others can jump in too (especially Eric!).

[Kevin]

I agree 100%. Does anyone else have feelings for or against having mutable Decimal instances? In the mean time, I will prepare a patch to do this so we can evaluate the practical effects on the code.

Oh yes, they have to be immutable, meaning that no public API operation mutates a Decimal in a user-visible way.